| Abstract | This study reexamined our contention that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) plays a role in the fungal degradation of lignin (BBRC 102(1981)484). Cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and a photochemical ¹O₂-generating system (riboflavin/light/O₂) cleaved a lignin substructure model compound, 1,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (I), by indistinguishable mechanisms. However, the rate of cleavage of I in D₂O was the same as in H₂O in the photochemical ¹O₂-generating system, indicating that ¹O₂ was not involved. Furthermore, products formed from I in a chemical system for generating ¹O₂ (H₂O₂ + NaOCl) differed from those produced by cultures or the photochemical system. It is concluded that ¹O₂ is not responsible for cleavage of I or related compounds in the fungal cultures or in the photochemical system. |
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